Shillingsworth set for fourth club in four years

PAUL Shillingsworth will play for his fourth club in four years in 2018.

The centre confirmed he would play for Maryborough Brothers in next year's Bundaberg Rugby League A-grade competition.

The club, which won one game and drew another in its first A-grade season in 15 years but claimed another reserve grade premiership, has added depth to its playing roster in the hope of an improved campaign.

Shillgsworth and former Hervey Bay Seagull Dan Goodwin are set to line up for the club's A-grade team next season, while coach Alex Dreger has busily recruited players from across not only the BRL, but other regions. Dreger indicated there could be up to as many as eight new faces in the top squad.

Shillingsworth, who played for Isis Devils, Wallaroos and Hervey Bay in each of the previous three BRL seasons, said he looked forward to taking the field with his new teammates.

The 27-year-old, whose best season was arguably at Wallaroos in 2016 when he finished as the club's equal top-tryscorer with veteran Shaun Collins on 14 tries, said Maryborough Brothers was a close-knit club.

"Even when Jeff ("Nugget”, Nugent) was there it had a reputation as being a good family club,” Shillingsworth said.

"Isis was good but we had a few injuries in the year.

"I'm just going to see what it's like (at Brothers). It's a good club.

"Alex said he has a few more players coming over and the reggies will be strong again, we just need A-grade to be strong.”

Shillingsworth scored five tries for the Devils in 2017.

The club is yet to start preseason, though Dreger said there was "not much point” starting now when, due to the competition's late-March kick-off, there could be 12 weeks of preparation in the New Year.

"I'm confident we can improve on last year. I won't say we'll beat everyone and win the premiership but we'll certainly be a lot better,” Dreger said.

"We didn't have a pre-season at all last year so just having that will help.”